Though the concept of nature-based tourism is not new, the term "ecotourism" is. Once referred to as "green travel", ecotourism is defined as a "recreational and educational experience that encourages greater understanding of the natural and cultural resources of an area". Florida has always been a popular locale for bird watching and trail hiking, but planners have only just begun to tap into its potential in this growing industry. However, throughout the stages of development planners should take deliberate steps to prevent the destruction of the natural resources upon which ecotourism depends.

A March, 1996 article in Florida Trend, "Marketing the Real Florida," asserts that nature tourism is the fastest growing segment of the U.S. market, increasing 30% a year. In 1996, 3.6 million Floridians 16 years and older participated in some wildlife-related activity; these residents, plus nonresidents, provided an economic output of $5.5 billion for wildlife-associated recreation in Florida in 1996. This economic output is equal to 66% of Florida's $7.6 billion citrus industry. While Florida is economically tourist-dependent, too many "eco" tourists can damage the natural resources which attract them- especially if tourists are unaware of the repercussions of their actions. (For example, boaters/jetskiers driving too close to rookeries and hikers/campers crushing vegetation, removing logs for firewood and blocking wildlife traffic.)

"Ecotourism," therefore, is shifting from a definition of a specialized form of tourism to a set of distinguishing criteria applied to any nature-related tourism. Stephen Holland, Director of the Center for Tourism, Research, and Development through the UF College of Health and Human Performance, defines ecotourism as having the following criteria: